Religious order ‘disturbed’ by Fox arrest

FRENCH religious congregation Notre Dame de Sion (NDS) yesterday said the arrest of Sr. Patricia Fox for doing missionary work and opposing the anti-drug war was unacceptable.

“We, Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion, are very deeply disturbed by the news that one of our sisters is being detained by the BI of the Philippines for her work and solidarity with the poor in the country,” said NDS Superior General Sr. Mary Babic.

Babic said there is nothing wrong with Fox’s actions as it is in accordance with her religious vow.

“By virtue of her religious vows and as an imperative of her Christian faith, Sr. Pat has the right to promote Christian response to the needs of the people in the Philippines regardless of faith differences, political beliefs, and social status,” she said.

Babic asked the Philippine government to allow Fox and other missionaries to be able to do their work in the country.

Last Monday, immigration agents arrested Fox for supposedly maligning the Philippine government in protest rallies. Fox was released the following day following expressions of outrage.

Last Wednesday, President Duterte admitted that he ordered the Bureau of Immigration to investigate Fox for alleged “disorderly behavior,” after she supposedly defamed the Philippine government in protest rallies.

Duterte also warned that he would not allow foreigners to insult his government, especially during rallies.

For its part, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) assured its support to Fox.

In a statement, CBCP President Archbishop Romulo Valles said they are prepared to provide Fox more than the prayers that they have already been doing.

“The CBCP would like to assure Sister Patricia Fox and her community that the CBCP is willing to extend any assistance and support we are able to give her and her community with regards to the situation,” said Valles.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, Jr. said there is no crackdown on foreigners who are supportive or sympathetic to left-leaning groups and those critical of the administration.

Prior to Fox’s arrest, European Socialist party member Giacomo Filibeck was barred from attending an Akbayan-organized event in Cebu last Sunday, and was deported.

Roque said government is just implementing the law prohibiting foreigners from joining local partisan politics and participating in partisan activities.

He said the same law applies to foreigners who would join pro-administration activities.

Roque said Fox had a history of involvement in rallies advocating the rights and welfare of farmers and indigenous people.

He said the President’s probe order was in accordance with the country’s law disallowing foreign nationals from participating in any political activity in the Philippines.

Roque, meanwhile, clarified his earlier statement that an apology might be in order in the case of Fox.

He said his statement about an apology stemmed from the fact that Fox was detained only to be released because she is not subject to a summary deportation because she was not caught on the act of actually violating the law.

He said he never mentioned which agency should make an apology and that Malacañang would not be apologizing.

The BI said it was not the first time that a foreigner was expelled for engaging in political activities.

In August 2013, authorities deported 20-year old Dutch activist Thomas Van Beersum after he was photographed yelling at a weeping police officer during a rally outside the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City while then President Benigno Aquino III was making his State of the Nation Address.

European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen said the 28-member regional bloc has no plan to file a protest following the deportation of Filibeck.

Jessen told reporters at the sideline of the Viva Europa cultural showcase at the Dusit Thani Hotel that the incident would not affect the relationship between the EU and the Philippines.

“That’s not really the issue, the issue is that we are friends (with the Philippines) and we do have partnership and cooperation with each other,” he said.

He said he already met with officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs to seek clarification on the incident. – With Jocelyn Montemayor and Ashzel Hachero

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